Birth Control

What is Birth Control?

Birth control is used to prevent pregnancy. It can also be used for other conditions such as acne or hormone conditions. Birth control pills usually contain one or two hormones. These hormones prevent egg release from the ovaries. It also causes changes in the cervical mucus and uterine lining which may make it more difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg.

Savings Tips for Birth Control

Medications are a common offender when it comes to lower extremity edema, either as the cause or as a factor that can make it worse. Swelling in the lower legs from fluid in the tissues—lower extremity edema—is a familiar complaint among patients. Imprints from your socks, puffy legs and feet so you can’t put your shoes on, or swelling so that you can make an indent with your thumb (pitting edema) may lead you to wonder what’s going on. See More

Regular birth control pills are already available over-the-counter in many countries including China, Greece, India, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa, Russia, and Korea. In the U.S., we are slowly but surely starting to provide women with greater access to birth control products without requiring a prescription.

In 2013, Plan B One-Step, the emergency contraceptive that can prevent pregnancy, was made available without a prescription (“over-the-counter” or OTC) without an ID or age restriction. See More

Manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals has issued a voluntary recall for Mibelas 24 Fe due to a packaging error. Mibelas 24 Fe is one of several generic alternatives for Minastrin 24 Fe, a chewable birth control pill that comes with iron supplements.

This is a class I recall, the most serious type of recall, which means that there is a situation where there is a reasonable probability that use of the recalled medication may cause serious adverse health consequences or death. See More

Birth Control Drug Classes

Estrogen / progestin combinations are used for birth control, estrogen replacement, and to treat menopause, osteoporosis, PMDD, and acne. They work by preventing ovulation, increasing estrogen levels, and changing hormone levels.

Medical supplies and devices are prescription and over-the-counter items used to assist in the treatment of various medical conditions such as dry mouth, diabetes, asthma, and nausea. They work cooperatively with prescription medications or can be used alone to treat or test for certain conditions.

Progestins are used for birth control and emergency contraception. They are also used to treat irregular menstruation, breast cancer, uterine cancer, endometriosis, and for weight gain. Progestin is a synthetic hormone similar to progesterone, which can help prevent the growth of the uterine lining.

Prostaglandins are used to treat glaucoma and gastric ulcer, as well as for labor induction and to increase eyelash growth. They work by reducing pressure in the eye by decreasing excess fluid in the eyes, protecting the stomach from ulcers, and causing contractions in the cervix.

Estrogen / progestin / folate combinations are used for birth control and to treat folate deficiency, PMDD, and acne. It works by preventing ovulation, increasing levels of folate, and changing hormone levels.

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